The Rev. Monsignor Howard Lincoln, who celebrated his final mass at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert last week after leading the Catholic congregation for 20 years, has informed members of the church community that he plans to marry a woman as he moves into retirement, church leaders said this weekend.
In a letter dated Saturday and posted on the church’s website, Pastor Gregory Elder and Parochial Vicar Tyler Tripp wrote: “It is with mixed emotion that we share with you the following message: On Wednesday, June 30, at the end of our farewell luncheon for Monsignor Lincoln, he announced to those in attendance his intention to marry a woman with whom he is apparently involved. This announcement surely comes as a shock to the community of Sacred Heart, which Monsignor Lincoln has led for the past 20 years. While he has not formally informed the parish or the Diocese of his intention to marry, many of you have already heard about his announcement at the farewell luncheon so we felt it best to address the issue. We know that this information will generate strong emotions for many and we are here for you in this moment of difficulty.”
Lincoln did not return a phone call from The Desert Sun seeking comment.
In January, Lincoln announced plans to step down from Sacred Heart and Elder was named as his successor. Elder, a priest from Murrieta who was originally ordained as a clergyman in the Anglican church, is one of only a handful of priests in California who is married and has children and grandchildren.
“We know that this information will generate strong emotions for many and we are here for you in this moment of difficulty.”
Lincoln told The Desert Sun in January that said that only about one in a thousand Catholic priests in the state are married. Elder, Lincoln said at the time, would bring a unique perspective and be able to relate to parishioners in ways that few priests can.
“He’s a better preacher than I am,” Lincoln said, “and he’s really a terrific replacement.”
Full text of the letter to parishioners:
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is with mixed emotion that we share with you the following message:
On Wednesday, June 30, at the end of our farewell luncheon for Monsignor Lincoln, he announced to those in attendance his intention to marry a woman with whom he is apparently involved. This announcement surely comes as a shock to the community of Sacred Heart, which Monsignor Lincoln has led for the past 20 years. While he has not formally informed the parish or the Diocese of his intention to marry, many of you have already heard about his announcement at the farewell luncheon so we felt it best to address the issue. We know that this information will generate strong emotions for many and we are here for you in this moment of difficulty. Let us continue to pray for our parish community, for the Diocese and for Msgr. Lincoln.
According to canon law, any priest who attempts marriage, even civilly, incurs an automatic suspension because such an action constitutes a break of the promise of celibacy made at the ordination. This means that he cannot exercise any priestly ministry. The suspension is imposed by the law itself, not by the bishop. A priest under this penalty is not able to celebrate the sacraments or perform any priestly ministry until such time as the situation is resolved.
We are here for you and we ask for your prayers for our parish, our staff, and all involved. Please know of our prayers for you in this time of transition in the parish.
Rev. Gregory Elder, Pastor
Rev. Tyler Tripp, Parochial Vicar
Meanwhile, a priest friend in California writes of this: “It’s a 9.0 on the Richter scale. He is on the Papal Foundation and a major media celebrity out here.”
We’ll all be curious to hear what Monsignor Lincoln has to say about this.
UPDATE: Msgr. Lincoln married over the July 4th weekend. He and his new wife gave an interview to a local TV station. You can see it here.
